MyGolfSpy’s Practice Kit Essentials

Since I was very young it has always been a nasty eight letter word to me. It reminds me of a time when I was forced to sit in front of a piano everyday for hours on end. The unfortunate reality of it all is that unless you’re blessed with super powers, without practice you’re never going to get any better.

Practice is a bit of a necessary evil.

Over the years with MyGolfSpy I’ve been introduced to many training aids that are supposed to help you get more out of our practice time. They’re supposed to help improve your game (with the emphasis on the supposed). Not everything works as advertised, but every so often a product comes through my doors that changes how I look at practice and actually produces results.

Today I wanted to give you a look inside my practice kit. Not every item is with me every time I go to the course, but each plays a part in my practice regimen. Maybe something here can help you.

THE TRAINING AIDS

1. TIBA PUTT

When my putting goes awry it’s usually because I’m moving the putter head everywhere but back and through on the same path. The TIBA PUTT is the best aid I’ve found to ingrain the consistent proper stroke. The great thing about TIBA’s design is it caters to all stroke types whether you’re an arc putter or straight back straight through.

2. ZEPP GOLF

Zepp makes practice fun and almost a game as you’re trying to get all the key factors to align to achieve a perfect score of 100. Tempo is off? Instant feedback. Over-swinging? Instant feedback. You get the point and Zepp does all this via a big, bold and probably the most user friendly feedback display on the market. The info is presented simply, and isn’t overly data-heavy, which is perfect for an average guy like me.

3. PLANE SIGHT

The laser points right out of the butt end of the club and can be used at home or at the range to positively reinforce club path on the downswing. I use it at home between range sessions in slow motion to ingrain the feel and muscle memory of getting that butt end firing right down the target line. At the range I can use it the same way if I suspect I’m off – as seen here.

4. DST COMPRESSOR

DST stands for Delayed Strike Technology. The clubs forces you to locate, train and perfect the optimal impact position.

When I stop turning and flipping it’s time to bring the DST out. After everything else, it’s the one aid that makes sure I keep turning and don’t quit through impact. I’m not going to spend all day explaining it all again when you can read the review.

5. ALIGNMENT STICKS

These are not your local golf shop’s $25 a set fancy-smanschy alignment sticks, they’re $2 driveway markers found at your local Lowe’s Home Improvement. I’m making a point here people, they’re TWO DOLLARS and do the exact same thing!

There’s no better reinforcement to body/target alignment than a physical aid laid along your feet and club path lines. Sure commenters will chime in with why not just use a club? That’s to be expected and I have no problem with anyone doing that. But look at it from my perspective; these are cheap, long (48 inches), and can be used in many more applications such as sticking in the ground at an angle behind you for swing plane reinforcement.

THE REST

1. STITCH GOLF “FIT” BAG

The FIT is a hybrid between a Sunday bag and a carry bag, it’s pretty much perfect when I don’t want to lug my whole set out. The materials are heavy duty, the pocket space ample and the stand works without a hitch.

2. SNELL GOLF BALLS

If you find a ball that works for you on the course, make sure you practice with it too. The Snell “My Tour Ball” fits me well and provides a consistent predictable roll off the putter, so why wouldn’t I practice with it. Although the quality is proven, this still might not be the ball for you, but my point is control all the variables you can on and off the course for a more consistent game.

3. HYDRAPAK STASH WATER BOTTLE

We all get thirsty and can drink only so much Tim Horton’s. When coffee no longer cuts it and you need some water he Hydrapak STASH is a great bottle.

Flexible and about 50% lighter than hard bottles, when not in use this beauty collapses to about an inch high, or one fifth it’s full size. What’s really nice is it can be frozen if you wanted to pre-cool some fluid before heading out on a hot summer day.

4. BRAINWAVZ DELTA IN-EARS

To help me get into my zone, I take music to the course. So I wear in-ears—because nobody should be forced to endure my musical tastes.

Now we can argue until the end of time about personal audio preferences, but you won’t find a better in-ear for under $50 that sounds as good. You get a high quality build, a remote/microphone that works well with either Android or Apple devices, and great tip selection including foam. Bottom line: the Brainwavz Delta is your go to audio inspiration for practice swings.

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26 Comments

Alex Coombes

2 years ago

Dan, I bought the Brainwavz Delta headphones after reading this article. They arrived today and I have to say, I’m blown away by the sound quality on these things! I consider myself to have something of a headphones or earbud fetish; I’m always on the look out and often buying them when passing idly through an airport or a rush of blood purchase via Amazon.
These little beauties are easily…easily the best sounding I’ve tried to date. Thanks for the recommendation!

GolfSpy MBP

2 years ago

This is cool to hear and happy it helped Alex. I want to be a real audiophile but refuse to spend hundreds on IEM’s that may just break, was shocked myself how good these sounded after reading so many good reviews.

Keep us updated on how they hold up, my set is about a year and a half old and still going strong.

Donald Madden

steve s

3 years ago

For those that are “club tweakers” like me Home Depot sells a great 48 inch aluminum straight edge for $8, along with carrying the mentioned alignment sticks/driveway markers in two lengths 48 and 72 inches.

Steve S

3 years ago

I’d recommend the Tour Striker over the DST Compressor. It has a straight shaft and modified head that will give you instant feedback if you are not hitting down on the ball. From address it looks like a regular club. The DST just looks goofy to me when you address the ball and doesn’t visually translate to your normal clubs (at least to my eye.

Elie Anquetil

Ryan Holcomb

3 years ago

You lost me at “proper stroke” for putting. There is only what works for an individual. Check Tiger’s putting stroke 2000– Not back and through. More of a high draw move, or Rory’s hold off fade type move. Straight back and through is more like lead with he heel going back and through – very hard to master, yet still one of many valid strokes that win majors.

Daniel Dal Poggetto

Thomas Murphy

3 years ago

Good list, I am now looking for wireless earbuds though. The Home Depot sticks perfect too. My other like that is the Home Depot yard stick .95 or the 4′ straight edge (aluminum) for $6 good for a variety of putting drills (as are the alignment rods). Standard bag stuff: gum, Advil, sunscreen. What I wish was in my practice bag is flightscope ah one last thing phone tripod for filming swing into V1 Home. Zeppelin is good but doesn’t see setup flaw that caused the bad path.